US2405792A - Gun mounting - Google Patents

Description

I 1945 s. H. LAZARUSQJR" ETAL 2,405,792

GUN MOUNTING Filed Feb. 11, 1942 .3 Sheets-Sheet l I I I I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM' k I Aug. 13, 1946. s. H. LAZARUS, JR., ETAl 2,405,792

GUN MOUNTING Filed Feb. 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Mums Geazye/Ziazarzw; 2: J'ss ZBeaVZe Aug. 13, 1946.

G. H. LAzARus, JR., EIAL 2,405,792

GUN MOUNTING Filed Feb. 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Elma/rm Patented Aug. 13, 1946 UNITED STATES PATET OFFHQE GUN MOUNTING George H. Lazarus, J1'., and Jess F. Bewley, Bowling GreeluKy.

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to an ordnance pointing mechanism, and more particularly to a device whereby relatively large caliber guns or cannon may be readily pointed and fired at short ranges with the same ease that at present characterizes the pointing and firing of an ordinary rifle.

Conditions of modern warfare have made it necessary that relatively large caliber guns be fired at point blank ranges, and that the same be pointed quickly enough to follow a swiftly moving object such as a tank or low flying plane.

In the copending application, Ser. No. 403,750, filed July 23, 1941, there is described a mechanism consisting in general of a gun mount or support adapted to receive a relatively heavy or large caliber gun which may be a machine gun or light cannon, and a second mount for a pointing piece which may be an actual rifle or a piece simulating an actual rifle.

The copending application referred to discloses a mechanism upon which the two guns described can be mounted and readily moved in vertical and horizontal planes with a minimum of frictional resistance.

In addition, there is disclosed in the copending application means whereby the large caliber gun will be made to follow the movement of the smaller rifle or pointing piece so that the gunner can aim the pointing piece and simultaneously fire the large gun at an object.

The present application relates to an improved mechanism of a type similar to that shown in the copending application, which can be more easily pointed, and which can be held more steadily under conditions of rapid fire.

One of the objects of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a gun mounting mechanism which is capable of supporting a pointing piece, and a relatively large caliber gun in which both the pointing piece and large caliber gun are so supported that the large caliber gun can be held still under conditions of rapid fire.

A second object of the present invention is to provide in combination with a pointing piece and mounting means therefor, a cradle adapted to support a large. caliber gun such as a 50 caliber machine gun, or the like, said cradle being so suspended that the center of fire of the large caliber gun is substantially aligned with the hori- Zontal pivots for the cradle.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a pointing mechanism for a relatively large caliber gun which includes a pointing piece mounted for relatively frictionless pivotal movement in both horizontal and vertical planes, and a relatively heavy caliber gun which is similarly mounted for relatively frictionless pivotal movement in horizontal and vertical planes, both the pointing piece and heavy caliber gun being adapted to be simultaneously moved as a unit even though the pointing piece is located at a substantial distance and at various positions relative to the heavy gun.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a mounting cradle for a relatively heavy caliber gun, which is supported for relatively frictionless movement in vertical and horizontal planes, and which is provided with a counterbalancin weight to vary the moment of the cradle and gun supported thereby about a vertical axis.

A fifth object of the. present invention is to provide a pointing mechanism of the character described in which a pointing piece is located directly above a heavy caliber gun, and mean are provided to move the heavy caliber gun in a manner corresponding to movements of the pointing piece.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide in a device of the character described a pointing piece which is located below a heavy caliber gun which is coupled to the pointing piece so that movements of the pointing piece will simultaneously move the heavy caliber gun.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a ball bearing mounting for a heavy caliber gun which will enable the same to be moved with a minimum amount of friction in a pivotal manner in both horizontal and vertical planes, while maintaining the same in a balanced relationship relative to the center of fire thereof.

An eighth object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount for a relative heavy caliber gun which will enable the gun to fire a relatively concentrated cone of fire of a minimum dimension.

A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a gun mount for a machine gun or the like, wherein the gun may be balanced to produce a cone of fire of a relatively small height which may be adjusted either downwardly or upwardly from a base line.

A tenth object of the present invention is to provide a novel gun mount including a cradle in which the gun is floated or suspended, said gun being inherently balanced in said cradle to permit minimum natural vertical movement.

An eleventh object of the present invention is to provide a gun mount in which a gun is suspended or floated for relatively frictionless movement, and in which the gun may be balanced in any normal angular position relative to the horizontal.

A twelfth object of the present invention is to provide a support for a gun cradle which extends angularly from a base member so that the cradle and gun supported thereby may be moved through a greater angle of vertical fire, said support at the same time being of a compact construction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and figures of the drawings wherein: Y

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a supporting structure for a pointing piece and heavy gun in accordance with the present invention.

- Figure-2 is a plan view of the supporting structure of Figure l.

. Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

. Figure 5 is a detail of the balancing weight assembly.

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of a gun supporting structure wherein the pointing piece is located above the heavy caliber gun.

,Figure '7 is a detail of the tie rod connection for the construction of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a rear elevation of a second modified form of the invention wherein the pointing piece is located below the heavy gun.

Figure 9 is a modified form of a supporting cradle for the heavy gun.

Figure 10 is a detail in section of one of the ball and socket joints connecting the tie rod and base plates of the guns.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cone of fire of a gun mounted according to the present invention Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 to 3 thereof, there is here shown a pointing piece which is indicated in general at I which is suitably supported and fastened to base plate I The base plate I is in turn bolted as by bolts 2 to an outer housing l3 of a taper roller bearing assembly indicated in general at l3a, of a conventional design which is shown in detail in Figure 3. A stub shaft I4, forming a part of the roller bearing assembly is welded or otherwise suitably joined to a stub shaft I which is perpendicularly disposed relative to the shaft l4. Each end of the shaft I5 is suitably supported as by ball bearings l8 and IT. The bearings l6 and l! are in turn supported by a U- shaped bracket indicated in general at H3. The bracket H3 is provided with two vertically disposed legs IQ and 20 which are bolted to the outer portions of the ball bearings l1 and i6, respectively. I Thebase of the U-shaped bracket is supported on a standard 2| and is shown particularly in the drawing as fastened to the standard by a pair of bushings 22 and 23, andnuts 24 and 25.

The standard 2| is immovably supported in' a sleeve 26 in turn supported by a plurality of rods 21, 28 and 28a, therods 28 and 28a being welded to a bracket 29 which is in turn welded to a main standard 30 rotatably supported at 3M. The rod 21 is welded to a bracket 3| which is bolted to the main standard 30 as by bolts 32.,

It will be noted from the foregoing that the rifle or pointing piece H is therefore securely supported, but is nevertheless capable of pivotal movement in any horizontal or vertical plane. The ball bearing [35; serves as a vertical pivot for horizontal pivotal movements of the pointing piece It, and the ball bearings l6 and I! serve as a pivotal mounting for both the bearing |3a and the pointing piece it so that the pointing piece can be pivoted in a vertical plane about the bearings l6 and I? as horizontal pivots.

Extending from the shaft l5 through the ball hearing I! is the rotatable member 33 forming one end of a universal joint indicated in general at 34. The other end of the universal joint is rotatable with a shaft 35 which is in turn connected to a second universal joint indicated in general at 3 6. As shown in Figure l, the universal joint 36 is in turn connected and rotatable with a pivot indicated in dotted lines at 31. The pivot 31 is rotatably mounted Within a ball bearing indicated in general at 38. The righthand end of the pivot 37 in turn supports an arm 39 which forms one of the upright legs of a U- shaped bracket including the arm 39, a base portion 40 and a second arm 4|. The two arms 39 and 4| are bolted to the base portion 40 as by bolts 42 and 43. The arm 4! is supported by a pivot indicated in dotted lines at 44. The pivot 44 is in turn rotatably mounted in a ball bearing indicated in general at 45.

It is evident therefore from the foregoing that the U-shaped bracket comprising the base 40 and the arms 39 and 4! is pivoted for movement in a vertical plane by means of the two pivots 31 and 44, and as will be hereafter described, forms a cradle for a relatively heavy caliber gun. The pivot 44 also carries at the end thereof remote from the arm 4| a counterbalancing weight 46. The weight 46 is bolted as by a bolt 41 to an arm 48 which is provided with a hub 49 mounted on the pivot 44. Set screws 50 extend through the hub 49 into the pivot 44, and prevent relative rotation therebetween.

The arm 48, as shown in Figure 5, is provided with a plurality of holes 5| into which the bolt 41 is adapted to enter in order to enable the weight 46 to be moved upwardly or downwardly upon the arm 48. The weight 46 may therefore be positioned closer or farther away from the hub 49, and the entire hub assembly may be rotated relative to the pivot 44 by loosening the set screws 53, and thereafter tightening the same. The weight 46 therefore acts as a Variable balancing means for the U-shaped bracket or cradle previously described, as well as for the heavy gun which is supported thereby.

A tapered roller bearing assembly is indicated in general at 52 upon the base 40. The roller bearing assembly. 52 is adapted to rotatably supportas by its outer portion 53, a base member 54 of a mount indicated in general at 55 for supporting a relatively heavy caliber gun.

The mount shown in the specific embodiment of the invention is particularly adapted to support a standard .50 caliber machine gun, but it is to be understood that a mount for any relatively heavy caliber gun may be substituted therefor.

As shown, the mount consists of a pair of side plates 56 and 57 each extending from the member 54, and connected at their forward and rearward ends by a pairof bolts 58 and 59. A plurality of holes indicated at 60 in Fig. 4 are pro-- vided in the side plates to which the machine gun may be bolted. At their forwardend, the side plates 56 and are connected by a horizontal plate-like member 6!, having a forward extension 62. The front end of the extension 62 is provided with a pin 63 which is journaled within an end of a shaft or rod 64 so as to support the same, and at the same time permit the rotation of the rod 64 relative to the pin 63. The rod 64 is connected by means of a turnbuckle B ia with a second rod 65 which is rotatably connected to the forward end of the base plate II for the pointing piece previously described.

It is to be understood that the connection of the rod 65 and the base plate II is similar to the connection of the portion 62 and the rod 64 so that the rod 65 is capable of rotation relative to the base plate II.

It is evident that by turning the turnbuckle 64a the forward end of the plate II and the forward end 62 of the plate (H can be brought closer together or moved farther apart. Since as previously described, the plate l supports the pointing piece IE, and the plate 6i connects the side plates 55 and 5'5 which form a portion of the supporting means for the machine gun which is indicated in general at 66 in Figure 1, that when the plate 62 and the plate II are brought together, the front ends of the pointing piece and the gun will be brought closer together. This arrangement enables the pointing piece and gun to point at the same mark.

The function of the rods 64 and 65 together with the turnbuckle 64a is to couple the for- Ward ends of the pointing piece and machine gun so that when the pointing piece is moved or pivoted in any horizontal direction, the machine gun will follow the movement thereof, it being understood that the machine gun pivots on the bearing 52, and the pointing piece on the bearing Idea. The machine gun also follows vertical pivotal movement of the pointing piece ii).

As previously pointed out the shaft E5 is cou pled to the pivot 31 by means of universal joints 34 and 35 in the shaft 35. Movement of the pointing piece Iii, therefore, about the ball bearings I6 and I! will similarly move the machine gun 66 about the ball bearings 38 and 45.

It is to be noted that the ball bearings 38 and 45 are supported on a U-shaped member 67 which is bolted as by the bolts 68 to the top of the main standard 30.

Referring particularly to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the side arms of. the U-shaped member 81 extend angularly rearwardly from the base member 30. This enables the gun to be tilted upwardly through a greater angle of fire. By thus offsetting the pivots relative to the base member 38 the U-shaped member 61 may be made relatively small and at the same time, the gun may be pivoted in a vertical plane until it points almost directly upwardly. This would not be possible without the olTset construc tion, since the rear end of the gun or the sup port therefor would contact the bottom of the U-shaped bracket 61 before the gun had been elevated any substantial amount.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the base member 30 is supported by a bearing 36a. This enables the entire base member 38 and both the gun and pointing piece to be swung through 360.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, there is here shown a modified device in which the heavy caliber gun or machine gun is mounted directly upon a main standard 69, and the pointing piece is mounted above the machine gun.

Referring to Figure 6, in particular, there is here shown a bracket member I0 which is supported on the upper end of the main standard 69 as by a tapered roller bearing II so that the bracket I0 is rotatable relative to the standard Supported by the bracket 10 as by ball bearings I2 and I3 are a pair of pivot members I4 and I5. The pivot members I4 and E5 in turn pivotally support a U-shaped bracket I6 which forms a cradle for the machine gun or other heavy caliber weapon indicated in general at TI.

The support for the gun II consists of a pair of side plates I8 and I9 similar to the plates 56 and 5'! of Figure 1 which are connected by a base plate 89 which isfirmly bolted to the bracket I6 as by bolts 8|, It is evident, therefore, that the machine gun IT is capable of pivotal movements in a horizontal plane about the ball bearing II, and at the same time can be pivoted in a vertical plane about the ball bearings 12 and I3.

Firmly fixed to the top of the bracket II! as by bolts 82 is a shaft 83, which is firmly fixed at its upper end to a U-shaped bracket 84. The shaft 83 is also rotatably supported by a tapered roller bearing 85 carried by an arm 86 which is firmly fixed to the main standard 6'9 by a bracket 8?. The U-shaped bracket 8-; forms a support for the pointing piece indicated at 88. The .bracket 84 supports a pair of ball bearings 89 and 59 in which the stub shaft 9! is rotatably journaled. The shaft 9| is welded to a vertical shaft 92 which is bolted to a supporting plate 3 for the gun 88 as by bolts 94.

In this modification of the invention, the forward end of the pointing piece 88 and the large caliber gun TI are joined by a rod assembly in cluding a pair of rods 95 and 96 and a turnbuckle 91. The rod 96 is connected to the gun 88 as by a ball and socket joint 98, and the rod 95 is connected to the gun TI as by a ball and socket joint 99. The rod assembly, therefore, consisting of the rods 95 and 96 and the turnbuckle 9'1 will produce similar movements in a vertical plane of the pointing piece 88 and the gun I1, the pointing piece 88 being pivoted for this movement about the bearings 89 and 9D, and the gun IT being pivoted for this movement about the bearings 12 and I3. Through the shaft 83, the gun TI will also follow horizontal pivotal movements of the pointing piece 88, the entire assembly for both guns being pivoted about the bearings II and 85.

Referring to the modification of the invention shown in Figure 8, it will be noted that the relatively large caliber gun here indicated at I80 is supported above the pointing piece indicated at I 0 I. The supporting means for the pointing piece IOI includes a plate I62 to which the gun is suitably affixed, the plate I02 being bolted to a collar I33 which is carried on a vertical stub shaft I04 welded to the horizontal shaft I115. The shaft IE5 is rotatably mounted at each end in the ball bearings IE6 and IE1. The ball bearings I06 and Ill! are in turn carriedby a frame I68 which is rotatably mounted in the tapered roller bearing indicated in general at I09 which is mounted on top of the main standard I I8.

It is evident, therefore, that the pointing piece I0 I, is mounted fOr pivotal movement in a vertical plane about the axis of the bearings I06 and I01, and is mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane about the axis of the bearing I99. A crank III connects the frame I08 to a shaft IIZ which is supported by a tapered roller bearing indicated in general at H3. The roller bearing 3 is supported by an arm H4 which is affixed to a bracket I I5, also mounted immovably on thev standard III].

It is evident, therefore, that rotational movement of the pointing piece IOI in a horizontal plane will similarly move the shaft H2. The shaft H2 is in turn amxed as by a collar IIB to a U-shaped bracket I I1. The bracket II1 supports at its upper ends the ball bearings H8 and I I9. Pivots I20 and I2I, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8, are journaled for rotation within the ball bearings H8 and H9, respectively. A U- shaped cradle I22 is mounted Within the U- shaped bracket II1 to rotate with the pivots I20 and I2I.

Carried on the cradle I22 and bolted thereto is the support proper indicated in general at I23 forthe gun IEII]. It is evident, therefore, that when the shaft II2 rotates to move the bracket I I1, the gun I will be moved similarly therewith, However, the gun IIlII will be also capable of rotating movement in a vertical plane about the axis of the ball bearings H8 and H9. The forward end of the gun IE0 and the pointing piece IIII are coupled together with a rod and turnbuckle assembly in a similar manner to that shown in connection with the modification of Figure 7.

It will be noted, therefore, from the foregoing that when the pointing piece IIlI is moved in either a horizontal or vertical plane, the gun Iiw will follow the movement thereof.

In Figure 9, there is disclosed a modified cradle support for a relatively heavy gun which may be utilized in any of the modifications just hereinbefore disclosed, or used by itself as a mounting for a heavy gun, A standard I24 is here shown which carries a U-shaped bracket I25 supported thereon as by a tapered roller bearing I25a. The bracket I25 supports a pair of ball bearings indicated in general at I26 and I21. Rotatably within the bearings I26 and I21 are a pair of movable pivots I28 and I29 respectively which are indicated in dotted lines. Movable with the pivots is a'rectangularly shaped cradle I30 which serves to support at its upper and lower ends a second pair of tapered roller bearings I3I and I32. Rotatably mounted within the tapered roller bearings I 3I and I32 are a pair of vertical pivots I33 and I34. Mounted to rotate with the pivots I33 and N24 is a second cradle member I35. A support for a relatively large caliber gun indicated in general at I36 is afhxed on the inner cradle I35 and supported on a suitable conventional support indicated in general at I31.

It will be evident,therefore, that the gun I38 mounted in the two cradles I35 and I3!) will be capable of relatively frictionless motion in both horizontal and vertical planes. Thus, when the gun is moved in a horizontal plane, it will pivot about the axis of the roller bearings I3I and I32. Similarly, when it is moved in a vertical plane, it will pivot about the axis of the bearings I26 and I21.

This particular cradle differs from the heavy gun cradles previously described in that it is supported both at its upper and its lower end, and the center of fire thereof is therefore more accurately positioned in alignment with the center of support in both a vertical and horizontal manner. It is obvious that a gun so mounted may be moved when a pointing piece is moved, by providing a linkage similar to that shown in Figure 1.

It is to be noted in particular that in each of the modifications described, the heavy gun is so mounted that the center of fire thereof is in horizontal alignmentwith the pivots upon which the entire cradle rotates for vertical pivotal movement. This arrangement prevents rapid fire of the gun from imparting a turning moment to the heavy gun carriage and enables the gunner to more easily maintain both the pointing piece and the heavy gun in position. The counterbalancing weight 56 may also be adjusted to assist in balancing the movement in any desired position; for example, in some instances it may be desirable that the heavy gun and pointing piece be disposed so as to point slightly upwardly, as for example when the gun is being used against dive bombers. In this instance it isdesirable that the weight 46be located to the rear of the center of pivot of the heavy'gun. As previously pointed out, the weight can be shifted by loosening the set screws 56. and by rotating the entire arm 48 about the pivot 44.

Referring to Figure 10, there is here shown in detail the ball and socket joint which connects the end of the rod 64 with the member 62. As shown, the pin 63 extending from the member 62 is provided at its lower end with a ball I38 which is received in a socket formed by the cup I 39 and the movable cup MI. The first cup 539 i welded into the rod 64 as indicated at I40 or may be otherwise securely fastened within the hollow rod 64. A set screw I42 bears on the movable cup MI and serves to firmly secure the ball within the socket- Referring to Figure 11, there is diagrammatically represented shot pattern produced on a target by a normal cone of fire of a machine gun in an average modern mount indicated at E43, and the cone of fire pattern which has been produced with the present gun mount indicated at I44 and I45.

It will be noted that the standard cone of fire pattern I43 is of a height indicated by the line H56, and that the line I41 measuring the height of the cone of fire pattern I44 is approximately V5 or /6 the height of the normal cone'of fire pattern.

By shifting the gun 66 of Figure 1 forwardly in its cradle, it may be made to shoot a cone of fire indicated at E45 below the base line I48. it is for this purpose that the various holes shown in Figure 4 are provided.

This effect is believed to be produced because a gun in the mount of the present invention, instead of being suspended in a relatively fixed manner is floated in a relatively frictionless mount and is then balanced within the mount so that it does not tend to move either upwardly or downwardly. Since the centers of its vertical suspension are in horizontal alignment with the center of fire, even the firing of the gun does not tend to draw the gun upwardly as in the normal mount. I

It is desired to point out that the cone of fire indicated at I45 is but slightly larger than the eifect produced by the barrel whip of a normal machine gun.

It is further desired to point out that the present mount is especially well adapted to support a plurality of relatively heavy guns shooting in tandem. Thus, in the mount shown in Figure 1, instead of a single .50 caliber machine gun indicated at 65, a plurality of guns mounted either side by side or one above the other may be' used, and all of the guns will be movedwhen the point-- ing piece Ill is moved. Alternatively, a plurality of mounts for the heavy gun may be arranged side by side, each incorporating all of the elements of the heavy gun mount shown. Each of these guns may then be moved from the pointing piece Hi'by connecting the pointing piece to each of these guns by a shaft such as the shaft Where, in the claims, therefore, a heavy caliber gun is described, it is to be understood that a plurality of guns may thus be indicated.

The present application and application Serial No. 403,750, filed July 23, 1941, contain common subject matter, some of the claims in the present application being readable on said common subject matter.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. In a gun assembly, a pointin piece,. a gun, primary means for supporting said gun for free pivotal movement in an horizontal plane, a second means for suspendedly supporting said gun in a vertical plane for substantially frictionless movement comprising a plurality of anti-friction bearings, a pair of pivots rotatably mounted therein, an offset supportin member for said bearing and pivots, a cradle pivotally mounted on said pivots, said cradle including a pair of arms extending downwardly from said pivots, an horizontal supporting base connecting the lower ends of said arms, a gun mount rotatably mounted on said supporting base, a support for said pointing piece disposed laterally of said primary support means, anti-friction bearings mounted on said lateral support means, pointing-piece pivots supported on anti-friction bearings, said pointingpiece suspendedly mounted on said pivots for substantially frictionless movement, and means for connecting said gun and said pointing-piece whereby sighting movement of said pointingpiece will simultaneously move said gun.

2. In a gun assembly, a pointing piece, a gun, primary means for supporting said gun for free pivotal movement in an horizontal plane, a secand means for suspendediy supportin said gun in a vertical plane for substantially frictionless movement comprising a plurality of anti-friction bearings, a pair of pivots rotatably mounted therein, an offset supportin member for said bearing and pivots, a cradle pivotally mounted on said pivots, said cradle including a pair of arms extending downwardly from said pivots, a horizontal supporting base connecting the lower ends of said arms, a roller bearing member rotatably mounted on said horizontal supporting member, an horizontally extending base member mounted on the roller bearing member, spaced oppositely positioned side members extending upwardly from said latter base member, means for fastening said side members together at their forward and rear ends, means for fastening the gun to said side members, an extension support secured to the side members at the forward end thereof, an extension member projecting therefrom, means thereon for rotatably mounting thereina shaft member, said side members and their assemblage of elements forming a gun mount; a support of said pointing piece disposed laterally of said primary support means, anti-friction bearings mounted on said lateral support means, pointing-piece pivots supported by antifriction bearings, said pointing-piece suspendedly mounted on said pivots for substantially frictionless movement and means for connectin said gun and said pointing-piece so that sighting movement of said pointing-piece will simultaneously move said gun.

3. In a gun assembly, a pointing piece, gun,

primary means for supportin said gun for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in an horizontal plane for substantially frictionless movement, a second means for suspendedly supporting said gun in a vertical plane comprising a plurality of anti-friction bearings, a pair of pivots rotatably mounted therein, an offset supporting member for said bearin and pivots, a cradle pivotally mounted on said pivots, said cradle including a pair of arms extending downwardly from said pivots, a horizontal supporting base connecting the lower ends of said arms, roller bearing member rotatably mounted on said horizontal supporting member, an horizontally extending base member mounted on the roller bearing member, spaced oppositely positioned side members extending upwardly from said latter base member, means for fastenin said side members together at their forward and rear ends, means for fastening the gun to said side members, an extension support secured to the side members at the forward end thereof, an extension member projecting therefrom, a pin thereon having means for rotatably mounting therein a shaft member, said side plates and their assemblage of element forming a gun mount; a, support for said pointing piece disposed laterally of said primary support means, anti-friction bearings mounted on said lateral support means, pointingpiece pivots supported by anti-friction bearings, said pointing-piece suspendedly mounted on said pivots for substantially frictionless movement, and means for connecting said gun and said pointing-piece so that sighting movement of said pointing-piece will simultaneously move said gun.

4. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a standard, a supporting frame on the standard, a cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, a gun mount pivotally supported on the cradle for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to said mount and partaking of said cradle and mount movements, means extending laterally from the standard and connecting the standard to a pointing unit, means carried by the outer end of said laterally extending means to support a pointing member, a pointing assembly mounted on said latter means including a pointing piece and a mount therefor, said mount for the pointing piece being constructed and arranged to provide pivotal substantially frictionless movements in vertical and horizontal planes, and means for connecting said gun and pointing piece so that the sighting movement of said pointin piece will simultaneously move said gun.

5. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a standard, a supporting frame on the standard, a cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, a gun mount pivotally supported on the cradle for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to said mount and partaking of said cradle and mount movements, means extending laterally from the' standard and connecting the standard to a pointing unit, means carried by the outer end of said laterally extending means to support a pointing member, a pointing assembly mounted on said latter means including a pointin piece and a mount therefor, said mount for the pointing piece being constructed and arranged to provide pivotal substantially frictionless movements in vertical and horizontal planes, a tie member between said gun and pointing piece mounts to cause one to follow the horizontal plane movement of the other, and a universal shaft connection between the pointing piece mount and the cradle to cause the cradle to follow vertical plane movements of the pointing piece, and means for connecting said gun and pointin piece so that the sighting, movement of said pointing piece will simultaneously move said gun.

6. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a standard, a supporting frame on the standard, a cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, a gun mount pivotally supported on the cradle for free and substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to the mount and partaking of said cradle and mount movements, a brace structure extending laterally from the standard and connecting the standard to a pointing unit, a sleeve carried by the outer end of the brace structure to support a pointing member, a pointing assembly mounted on said sleeve including a pointing piece and a mount therefor, said mount for the pointing piece being constructed and arranged to provide pivotal and substantially frictionless movements in vertical and horizontal planes, and means for connectin said gun and pointing piece so that the sighting movement of said pointing piece will simultaneously move said gun.

. 7. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a standard, a, supporting frame on the standard, a cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, a gun mount pivotally supported on the cradle for free and substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to the mount and partakin of said cradle and mount movements, a brace structure extending laterally from the standard and connecting the standard to a pointing unit, a sleeve carried by the outer end of the brace structure to support a pointing member, a pointing assembly mounted on said sleeve including a pointing piece and a mount therefor, said mount for the pointing piece being constructed and arranged to provide pivotal and substantially frictionless movements in vertical and horizontal planes, a tie member between said gun and pointing piece mounts to cause one to follow the horizontal plane movea ment of the other, and a universal shaft connection between the pointing piece mount and the cradle to cause the cradle to follow vertical plane movements of the pointing piece, and means for connecting said gun and pointing piece so that the sighting movement of said pointing piece will simultaneously move said gun.

8. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a standard, a supporting frame on the standard, a cradle pivotally mounted on the frame for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, said frame being provided with horizontally spaced bearings, trunnions on the cradle journalled in said bearings, a gun mount pivotally supported on the cradle for free and substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to the mount and partaking of said cradle and mount movements, a brace structure extending laterally from the standard and connecting the standard to a pointing unit, a pointing and sighting assemblage mounted on the outer end of the brace structure and including a pointing piece and a mount therefor, means including a shaft to cause said pointin piece mount to move substantially frictionlessly in vertical and horizontal planes, a tie member between said gun and pointing piece mounts to cause one to follow the horizontal plane movements of the other, and'a shaft provided with universal connections with the shaft of the pointing piece mount and one trunnion of the gun mount. 7

9. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a support, a frame on the support, said frame hav ing vertical side members, bearings in said side members, a gun supportin cradle provided with lateral trunnions disposed in said bearings, said cradle being pivotally mounted on said bearings for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, .a gun mount pivotally supported on said cradle for free and substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to the mount and partaking of said cradle and mount movements, a laterally offset pointing and sighting assembly supported on said support, said pointing and sighting assembly including a sighting piece and a mount therefor, said pointing piece mount being universally and frictionlessly movable, tie means between the gun and pointing piece assemblage, and a universal shaft connection between the pointing piece mount and one trunnion of the gun cradle to cause the cradle to swing proportionately with the corresponding movement of the sighting piece.

10. A gun and pointing assembly comprising a support, a frame on the support, said frame having vertical side members, hearings in said side members, a gun supporting cradle provided with lateral trunnions disposed in said bearings, said cradle being pivotally mounted on said bearings for free pivotal substantially frictionless movement in a vertical plane, a gun mount pivotally supported on said cradle for free and substantially frictionless movement in a horizontal plane, a gun secured to the mount and partaking of said cradle and mount movements, a laterally offset pointing and sighting assembly supported on said support, said pointing and sighting assembly including a sighting piece and a mount therefor, said pointing piece mount being universally and frictionlessly movable, said gun mount and pointing piece mount being provided with opposed parallel extensions, tie means between the free end portions of said extensions and a universal shaft connection between the pointing piece mount and the cradle to cause the cradle to follow vertical plane movements of the pointing piece.

GEORGE H. LAZARUS, J R. JESS F. BEWLEY.

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